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  • Bob Jenkins, center, congratulates Lynn Laughter on winning the District 4 seat on the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday. Also pictured is Laughter’s husband, Ben. (Misty Watson/The Daily Citizen)

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August 1, 2012

Laughter defeats incumbent Jones

Jamie Jones jamiejones@daltoncitizen.com

Precinct by precinct results

There will be a new face on the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners in January.

Local businesswoman Lynn Laughter topped incumbent Greg Jones with 5,276 votes (56.8 percent) to 4,012 votes (43.2 percent) in the Republican primary for District 4 commissioner on Tuesday. Since there are no Democrats on the ballot in the November election, Laughter is expected to take the seat. Results are unofficial until certified by the state.

“I’m very pleased,” Laughter said. “I appreciate all of the help in getting to this point, and there were a lot of people that helped me and worked for me. I appreciate that very much.”

Jones, who is in the farming and construction business, won a seat on the board in a special election in June 2007 to fill the unexpired term of the late Pete Pangle. In those almost six years serving Whitfield County, Jones said he felt like he contributed much, especially when it came to economic development.

Jones said he was disappointed he lost his re-election bid, adding “the people spoke so we’ll carry on.”

Even in defeat, Jones was able to keep a sense of humor.

“We’ve got hard times ahead so I may be the winner,” Jones said with a laugh.

Laughter has been in the financial service industry for almost 30 years. She has a partner, son-in-law Miller Jones, and two full-time associates at their financial planning business in downtown Dalton.

“I know that the county has very difficult years ahead,” Laughter said. “The LOST (Local Option Sales Tax) negotiations, even if they go well for the county, the county’s going to get less than they’ve been getting. The 100 percent freeport, not making the pension payment this year, so we’re headed into some very tough times and I’ve just got to get into it and see what I can do to help that.”

Although Laughter is a newcomer to politics, she has been active in local organizations. She will soon wrap up nine years on the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce executive board.

Laughter has resided in Whitfield County for the past 26 years and lives in Rocky Face. She raised her children here and has been involved in several local organizations including Habitat For Humanity and Rotary. She was the chair of the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce in 2011. Laughter is active at First Baptist Church and serves on the church staff committee.

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